This bill aims to protect public utility customers in New Jersey by prohibiting public utilities from imposing surcharges on customers who opt for alternative payment methods instead of enrolling in automatic payments. Specifically, the bill defines a "surcharge" as an additional fee that utilities may charge to recover costs associated with third-party payment processing services. It clarifies that customers making one-time payments through various methods, including online credit and debit card transactions, automated telephone systems, or direct bank withdrawals, will not be subject to these surcharges.

The legislation is designed to ensure that customers who choose not to enroll in automatic payments are not penalized with extra fees for using alternative payment options. By eliminating these surcharges, the bill aims to promote fairness and accessibility in payment processing for public utility services. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.